| Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is the fastest growing | | | | MMA it stands for MIXED Martial Arts. MMA |
| sport in the world. It has given individuals an outlet | | | | fighters are martial artists who train in a variety |
| to test their skills against other skilled fighters in | | | | of styles of martial arts in a hybrid fashion. Sure |
| the name of sport. MMA utilizes a variety of | | | | many MMA schools don't carry with them the |
| strikes such as kicks, punches, elbows and knees | | | | traditional values and philosophies of traditional |
| depending on the rules governing that particular | | | | dojos such as discipline, self-esteem, respect, |
| event. MMA also enables fighters to take their | | | | integrity, and honor.........but the majority of them |
| opponent down using throws or wrestling and | | | | do. The fact is these fighters who lack respect |
| once on the ground MMA fighters use grappling in | | | | for traditional martial arts are naive. Simply put |
| order to submit their opponent or punish them | | | | they are practicing traditional martial arts and they |
| with strikes until the referee stops the fight. | | | | don't even realize it. Albeit it is a watered down |
| Fights can be won by submission, knockout, | | | | version of different martial arts combined hence |
| technical knock out, or judges decision. I myself | | | | the "mixed" in mixed martial arts. |
| have competed in MMA and did fairly well. I won | | | | They use boxing for hand strikes; Taekwondo, |
| some fights and I lost some fights but I had a | | | | Karate, and Kickboxing for their kicks; Ju-Jitsu for |
| blast competing. I personally love MMA and what | | | | their submissions; Judo and wrestling for their |
| it brings to martial arts as far as sport. MMA | | | | throws and takedowns.........all traditional martial arts. |
| fighters are some of the best athletes in the | | | | Again MMA is designed for sport NOT |
| world and best conditioned. I have great respect | | | | self-defense. MMA is regulated by rules such as |
| for anyone willing to put their body through the | | | | weight classes, no small joint manipulations, no |
| grueling training required to be a successful fighter. | | | | strikes to the groin, no strikes to joints, no |
| The problem I have with some MMA fighters is | | | | kneeing a downed opponent in the head, no eye |
| their total lack of respect for the traditional | | | | gauging, no friends allowed to join in the fight, no |
| martial arts. These fighters are in the minority in | | | | rocks, no knives, no chairs, no glass bottles.......you |
| their way of thinking as most MMA fighters have | | | | get my drift. Traditional martial arts such as |
| immense respect for traditional martial arts. | | | | Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, and Aikido etc were |
| These fighters are most often amateurs who do | | | | developed and designed for life or death situations. |
| not put in the time nor the energy in training but | | | | The entire point of this post is that I firmly |
| rather do it solely for the purpose of the label. | | | | believe that ALL martial art styles need to be |
| These guys think being labeled a "MMA fighter" will | | | | respected. Each and every martial art brings a |
| bring them respect and give them a higher | | | | unique aspect to self-defense. Sure we develop |
| standing within society or at least within the | | | | our own philosophies, opinions, and way of looking |
| martial arts community. My question is what | | | | at other martial arts but in the end they all should |
| exactly do these "MMA fighters" think they are | | | | be respected. This is my opinion and my opinion |
| doing? Afterall if you break down the moniker | | | | alone although I am sure many will agree. |